Canada may curb intl students; move likely to impact Indians

Ottawa: Canada is looking at the possibility of putting a cap on the number of international students to help reduce the surge in demand for housing and fix the system that has gone out of control, Immigration Minister Marc Miller has said, a move that is likely to affect Indian students.

The remarks by Miller came o as the government of PM Justin Trudeau faced criticism for welcoming an increasing number of immigrants — both permanent and temporary residents — while the country faces an acute housing shortage.

In an interview with CTV News, Miller said the government will need to have talks with provincial governments “to make sure the provinces that have not been doing their jobs rein in the numbers.”

“That volume is disconcerting,” Miller said, in reference to the number of international students in Canada.

“It's really a system that has gotten out of control.”

A cap on international students would not be a “one-size-fits-all solution” to housing shortages across Canada, Miller noted.

India was the first among the top ten origin countries of study permit holders in 2022 in Canada, with a total of 319,000 students. (PTI)